Container valve

ABSTRACT

A container comprises a flexible body member ( 2 ) closed by a cap portion ( 26 ) having an outlet ( 28 ) therein, and a control assembly within the cap portion for controlling liquid flow from the body member ( 2 ) to the outlet ( 28 ), the control assembly comprising an integrally moulded seating ( 6 ) for location on the body member ( 2 ), including an outer annular sleeve ( 8 ) and an inner valve support chamber ( 12 ) and a control valve ( 16 ) of a one piece plastic moulding located on the seating ( 6 ) to define a closed volume therebelow and to seal the outlet, the closed volume being vented to atmosphere, the arrangement being such that, on pressurisation on the interior of the body member ( 2 ), the pressurised liquid flows between the sleeve ( 8 ) and the chamber ( 12 ) to distort the control valve ( 16 ) and enable flow through the outlet ( 28 ), and, on release of said pressure, the control valve ( 16 ) returns to a position sealing the outlet ( 28 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to containers, and more particularly tocontainers for dispensing pastes, gels, creams and other productshereinafter referred to as liquids.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of containers available for enabling controlleddispensing of the liquid content thereof through an outlet, the outlethaving associated with it a control valve in the form of a flexiblediaphragm carrying a nose or stud movable on deflection of the diaphragmbetween a position closing the outlet to prevent dispensing of theliquid and an open position permitting liquid to be dispensed throughthe outlet.

One such arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,494 in whichthe diaphragm is attached to a hollow cylindrical support element which,in turn, is located in a rigid insert positioned within the associatedcontainer and incorporating cylindrical passageways for the flowtherethrough of liquid from the container to a dispensing chamber fromwhich it can be discharged in accordance with deflection of thediaphragm resultant from pressurisation of the liquid within thecontainer.

The assembly described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,494 suffers from a numberof disadvantages not the least of which is that it comprises a number ofcomponents the constructions of which are relatively complex, and whichare difficult to assemble.

In particular, the process of assembly is considerably complicated bythe fact that the rigid insert is to be positioned within the upperregions of the container and must be inserted therein from the bottom ofthe container, only after which can the container be closed. Thus thedescribed container is clearly not suited to high volume production.

Additionally, the construction of the insert is such that flow of liquidtherethrough from the body of the container to the aforementioneddispensing chamber is restricted by virtue of the provision ofcylindrical passageways the total cross-sectional area of which isconsiderably less than that of the container and/or the dispensingchamber.

It has been further proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,999 to provide anassembly which includes a compound flexible diaphragm part of whichconstitutes a domed control valve for opening and closing an associatedoutlet on deformation of the dome by pressurised liquid from thecontainer. However, the assembly is again of relatively complexconstruction and is not suited to mass production.

Additionally, flow from the body of the container towards the outlet isby way of a single central passageway which imposes considerablerestriction upon the rate of flow, and the nature, in particular theviscosity, of liquids that can be dispensed by the container, while theconstruction of the assembly is such that the outlet must be offset fromthe central passageway, therefore imposing restrictions on the positionof the outlet from the assembly and eliminating the possibility of acentrally-located outlet which is often desirable.

DE-A1-4329808 discloses a container or tube in which liquid to bedispensed is supplied to a dispensing chamber through a pair ofdiametrically opposed flow openings. These openings comprise narrowcylindrical passageways the total cross-sectional area of which is againconsiderably less than that of the container and/or the dispensingchamber, and whereby liquid flow to the dispensing chamber issignificantly restricted.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,695,119 discloses a collapsible tube which deliversliquid to a chamber in a cap for the tube by way of a plurality ofnarrow bores defined in an axially movable plug within the tube,dispensing of the liquid through an outlet in the cap being under thecontrol of a valve member seating on the movable plug, the valve memberdefining therein an internal volume which is vented to atmospherethrough an angled bore formed in the plug and aligned with, at one end,an opening in the lower wall of the valve member and, at the other end,an opening in the wall of the cap.

The overall assembly as disclosed is of complex construction, isdifficult to assembly and provides for restricted flow of liquid fromthe tube to the chamber within the cap.

Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 2,607,515 and U.S. Pat. No.2,643,794 both of which disclose containers the constructions of whichare such that manufacture and assembly thereof both pose difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable to be able to provide a container for dispensingliquid which is of simpler construction and which lends itself toautomated assembly whereby high volume production can be achieved, andwhich enables improved flow characteristics to be achieved and a widerrange of liquids to be handled compared with the known arrangements.

According to the present invention there is provided a containercomprising a body member for containing liquid and including an outletportion at one end thereof through which said liquid flows onpressurization of the interior of the body member, a cap portion locatedon the body member and having at least one outlet for dispensingtherethrough liquid flowing from the outlet portion of the body member,and a control assembly located within the cap portion for controllingthe dispensing of liquid flowing from the body member to the or eachoutlet from the cap portion, the control assembly comprising, for the oreach outlet, a control valve and a seating for said control valve, thecontrol valve being a one-piece plastic moulding and including adiaphragm portion, and a nose portion extending from said diaphragmportion, and the seating comprising an outer annular sleeve forming anextension of the outlet portion of the body member within the capportion, and, within said sleeve, a support chamber for the valve, saidvalve having a rest position with the nose portion thereof engaging in,to seal, the associated outlet in the cap portion, the arrangement beingsuch that, on pressurization of the interior of the container, liquidfrom the body member flows along the flow path through the seatingbetween the outer annular sleeve thereof and the valve support chamberto engage with and distort the diaphragm portion of the valve wherebythe nose portion of the valve is released from the outlet and liquid isdispensed therethrough, and, on subsequent release of pressure from theinterior of the body member, the control valve returns to its restposition with the nose portion thereof seating in, to seal, the outlet,characterized in that the seating is a one-piece plastic moulding withthe support chamber thereof comprising sidewalls defining an open top tothe support chamber, the valve seating on the open top of, in sealingengagement with, the support chamber to define an internal volume withinsaid chamber below the valve, the sidewalls of the support chamber beinginterconnected with the outer annular sleeve by means of a plurality ofthin, circumferentially spaced webs such that a substantial proportionof the volume between the sleeve and the support chamber is availablefor liquid to flow therethrough from the body member to the or eachoutlet, the bore or bores extending from the support chamber through thesidewalls thereof, through one or more of the webs and through theannular sleeve to vent the internal volume within the support chamber toatmosphere.

It will be appreciated that, with such an arrangement, the or eachcontrol valve and the seating therefor are each of unitary constructionand are each moulded from a suitable plastics material whereby thenumber of component parts to the container is minimised and assembly isconsiderably easier than heretofore.

The venting of the valve support chamber to atmosphere, as well aspreventing the build-up of pressure within the closed volume below thevalve during assembly that could otherwise occur and preventing suchpressure build-up in, for example, high temperature environments, andwhich could adversely affect movement of the valve between its open andclosed positions, supplements the natural resiliency of the controlvalve to ensure a rapid and positive return of the control valve to itsrest position on release of pressure from the interior of the bodymember.

Furthermore, the provision of the relatively substantial volume betweenthe outer sleeve and the valve support chamber, interrupted only by therelatively narrow connecting webs, provides for excellent flowcharacteristics from the body member to the or each outlet from the capportion, and enables liquids with a wide range of viscosities to bedispensed by the container.

The container may include one-way valve means which, on pressurisationof the interior of the container, are closed to disconnect said interiorfrom the atmosphere, and, on release of pressure from the interior ofthe body member, are opened to connect the interior of the container tothe atmosphere.

Conveniently the one-way valve means comprise, or are provided in, thebase wall of the support chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the control valve includes acylindrical skirt portion one end of which is closed by the diaphragmportion, the skirt portion seating on, to surround, the upper regions ofthe sidewalls of the support chamber whereby the control valve issealingly located on the support chamber.

In such an embodiment, the skirt portion of the control valve may beovermoulded on the upper regions of the sidewalls of the supportchamber.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the control valveincludes a cylindrical skirt portion one end of which is closed by thediaphragm portion, the skirt portion being received within the upperregion of the sidewalls of the support chamber whereby the valve issealingly located in said chamber.

In the alternative embodiment of the invention, the upper regions of thesidewalls of support chamber may be provided with an annular recessadapted to receive therein the skirt portion of the valve whereby thevalve is sealingly located within the upper regions of the chamber.

The outlet portion of the body member may be defined by a cylindricalneck, the outer sleeve of the seating embracing said neck to locate theseating on the body member. The outer sleeve may be, for example, a snapfit on the neck, or may be threaded thereon.

The outlet portion of the body member may be defined by a cylindricalneck, the outer annular sleeve of the seating being integrally mouldedwith said neck whereby the body member and seating comprise a singlecomponent.

Preferably the cap portion is movable relative to the body memberbetween a closed position preventing flow from the body member to the oreach outlet, and a dispensing position permitting flow from the bodymember to the or each outlet on pressurisation of the interior of thebody member.

The movement of the cap portion between the closed and dispensingpositions may be achieved, for example, by axial displacement of the capportion on the body member, or by rotary displacement of the cap portionrelative to the body member.

Alternatively, the cap portion may be integrally moulded with theseating to be hingedly movable relative thereto between an operativeposition closing the container and housing the or each control valvetherein, and an inoperative position providing access to the controlvalve and seating.

A container according to the invention may include a lid member mountedon, externally of, the cap portion and provided with, for the or eachoutlet, a plug portion, the lid member being movable between a closedposition in which the or each plug portion seats in, to seal, theassociated outlet, and an open position in which the or each plugportion is displaced from its associated outlet.

Preferably the lid member is integrally moulded with the cap portion andis pivotal relative to the cap portion about a reduced thickness hingebetween its open and closed positions.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the container includes aplurality of outlets, and, within the container, a plurality of controlvalves and associated seatings, one for each outlet, the seatings beingintegrally formed with one another, the container further including,externally thereof, a plurality of bristles projecting therefrom atregions adjacent the outlets to receive thereon the content of thecontainer when dispensed therefrom, and for use as a brush.

Alternatively, the bristles may be replaced by a sponge or likeapplicator external of the container, for example for shoe care orpolishing purposes.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body member of thecontainer is of a flexible plastics material whereby pressurisation ofthe interior thereof, and consequential dispensing therefrom, can beachieved by squeezing the body member.

The control valve is conveniently of a soft thermoplastic material, forexample an elastomer, or a silicone rubber such as to ensure aleak-tight, non-drip seal of the nose portion with the associated outletas well as a leak-tight seal of the skirt portion of the valve in thesupport chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of part of a first containeraccording to the invention;

FIG. 1a is a plan view of the seating of the container in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2a, 2 b, and 2 c are vertical sections through a containeraccording to the invention and incorporating a rotatable cap with thecap portion in its dispensing position, with the interior of thecontainer under pressure, and with the cap portion in its closedposition respectively;

FIGS. 3a, 3 b, and 3 c are vertical sections through a containeraccording to the invention and incorporating an axially movable capportion with the cap portion in its closed position, with the capportion in its dispensing position, and with the interior of thecontainer under pressure respectively;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of part of a further containeraccording to the invention;

FIG. 4a is a plan view of the seating of the container of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are vertical sections through part of a still furthercontainer according to the invention with the lid member in its openposition and its closed position respectively;

FIGS. 7a and 7 b are vertical sections through a container according tothe invention with a number of outlets with the valves in their restpositions and their displaced positions respectively, and

FIG. 8 shows, to a larger scale, an alternative control valve for acontainer according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1a there is shown part of a containercomprising a body portion or reservoir 2 of a flexible plastics materialand including an externally threaded neck 4.

A valve seating of, for example, high density polyethylene is indicatedgenerally at 6 and includes an outer annular sleeve 8 in the lowerregions of which is formed an internal channel adapted to seat over, andthreadedly engage, the neck 4 of the container whereby the seating 6 issecured on the body portion 2 with the internal wall of the sleeve 8lying within the neck 4 and defining an outlet from the body portion 2.

Integrally moulded with the sleeve 8, and connected thereto by aplurality of thin, circumferentially spaced ribs 10, is a cylindricalvalve support chamber 12 the upper and lower ends of which are initiallyopen. The upper regions of the chamber 12 have an annular recess 14formed therein for reasons which will become apparent.

A control valve of a soft thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone rubberis indicated generally at 16 and comprises an annular skirt portion 18the upper end of which is closed by a circular diaphragm portion 20 onthe upper surface of which is formed a central nose portion 22.

The skirt portion 18 of the control valve 16 is a close friction fit inthe recess 14 in the chamber 12 whereby the valve 16 is sealinglylocated in the upper regions of the chamber 12. Alternatively, and inorder to ensure sealing engagement on the chamber 12, the skirt portion18 of the valve may be overmoulded on the chamber 12.

The volume within the chamber 12 below the valve 16 is vented toatmosphere, one or more bores 24 being formed in the seating 6 to extendfrom the lower regions of the chamber 12 along and through one or moreof the webs 10 to exit through the sleeve 8 whereby the volume withinthe lower regions of the chamber 12 is connected by said bores 24 to theatmosphere.

The lower end of the chamber 12 is apertured to receive therein anair-plug or one-way valve 23, this valve 23 having, as will be describedin more detail below, a first position which seals the lower end of thechamber 12 to define a closed volume therein vented to atmosphere viathe bores 24, and a second position interconnecting the chamber 12 withthe interior of the container.

The upper extent of the defining wall of the chamber 12 projectsupwardly beyond the upper surface of the diaphragm portion 20 of thevalve 16 when the valve 16 is located within the chamber 12, a slot 25being formed in said upper extent of said wall, for reasons which willbecome apparent.

The container is completed by a cap 26, for example of high densitypolythene, having a central outlet 28 therein and being a snap fit overthe sleeve 8 of the seating 6 and rotatable relative thereto.

The cap 26 includes, on its inner surface, an annular projection whichengages with the upper free end of the wall of the chamber 12, and aninternal closure plate which, with the cap 26 in its closed position,seals over the slot 25 to define, together with the aforementionedprojection, a closed volume within the cap 26 immediately above thevalve 16. In said closed position of the cap 26, the nose portion 22 ofthe valve 16 seats in, to seal, the outlet 28.

In order to dispense the content of the container, the cap 26 is rotatedto displace the closure plate from the slot 25, and the body portion 2of the container is squeezed to pressurise the interior of thecontainer. This increased pressure forces the content of the containerthrough the annular volume between the sleeve 8 and the outer wall ofthe chamber 12, restricted only by the narrow ribs 10, through the slot25 in the wall of the chamber 12 and into forcible engagement with theupper surface of the diaphragm portion 20 of the valve 16.

The diaphragm portion 20 is thus displaced downwardly within the chamber12 whereby the nose portion 22 is displaced from the outlet 28 and thecontent of the container is dispensed through said outlet 28.

At the same time the increased pressure in the container forces theone-way valve 23 into its first position sealing the aperture in thelower end of the chamber 12 and preventing flow of liquid from thecontainer into the chamber 12 and preventing flow of air from thechamber 12 into the container.

On release of the squeezing pressure from the body portion 2, and byvirtue of its inherent resiliency and the consequential return flow ofair through the bores 24 to the closed volume within the chamber 12, thevalve 16 returns to its normal rest condition in which the nose portion22 thereof seats in and seals the outlet 28, thereby terminatingdispensing of the content from the container.

At the same time the one-way valve 23 is moved to its second, openposition as a result of the pressure difference thereacross to enableatmospheric air to flow from the chamber 12 into the container throughthe lower end of the chamber 12 thereby to assist return of thecontainer to its normal rest condition.

Although not essential, the provision of the one-way valve 23 isparticularly useful in facilitating the return of the container to itsnatural shape which might otherwise be rather slow.

Although shown as communicating into the chamber 12, the one-way valve23 could be provided in, for example, one of the bores 24 or otherwisein communication with the atmosphere, in which case the lower end of thechamber 12 would be closed by a transverse wall 13.

The venting of the closed volume within the chamber 12 below the valve16 to atmosphere, as well as assisting return of the displaced valve 16to its normal rest condition on release of pressure within the bodyportion 2, prevents pressure build up in that volume during assembly,and prevents such pressure build-up due to, for example, high ambienttemperatures which could adversely affect movement of the valve 16between its open and closed positions.

It will be appreciated that the described container is of relativelysimple and therefore inexpensive construction, in particular as theseating 6 and the valve 16 are each integrally moulded, unitarycomponents readily located on the body portion 2—the number ofcomponents may in fact be further reduced by moulding the seating 6integrally with the body portion 2. Such an arrangement is thereforeparticularly suited to robotic assembly.

Additionally, flow of the liquid content from the body portion 2 to theoutlet 28 is considerably improved compared with known arrangementsregardless of viscosity by providing a substantial volume between thesleeve 8 and the chamber 12 for passage therethrough of the liquid whichis impeded only by the narrow interconnecting ribs 10.

The valve 16 functions at the exact point of dispensation of the productand eliminates the build-up of unsightly and unhygienic unused productat the outlet from the container and ensuring a reliable non-dripaction. The container of the invention is designed with a moreattractive and hygienic appearance compared with current containers andhas a very flexible and broad range of interesting and diverse marketingapplications.

By dispensing through the top of the container, the product, which maybe cream, gel, paste or the like, can be applied directly to, forexample, a hand or a leg and simply cleaned by wiping the cap againstthis surface.

The self-sealing action of the control valve 16 in the outlet 28 meansthat the container can be left in the open position of the cap 26,whether upright or inverted, and ready for immediate use without theusual hazard of potential spillage.

The closed position of the cap 26 provides leak-proof security fortravel purposes or for other situations where inadvertent squeezing ofthe container might occur.

The precise means by which the cap 26 is moved from a closed position toan open position may vary, while, in the rotatable arrangement of FIG.1, there may be a series of slots 25 around the top of the chamber 12and an associated series of closure plates internal of the cap 26.

FIGS. 2a to 2 c show an arrangement similar to that of FIG. 1 in whichequivalent components are correspondly referenced. Closure plates 30 areprovided within the cap 26 to co-operate with the chamber 12 and coverover the slots 25 when the cap 26 is in the closed position of FIG. 2c.

FIG. 2a shows the cap in its open position, for example rotated through90° from its closed position, and FIG. 2b shows liquid being dispensedthrough the outlet 28 on squeezing the body portion 20 of the valve 16and the consequential downward displacement of the nose portion 22 canbe clearly seen in FIG. 2b.

Movement of the cap 28 from its closed position to its open position maybe achieved by axial displacement of the cap relative to the bodyportion 2 of the container, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 3c.

More particularly, this embodiment does not include slots 25 in theupper extent of the chamber 12, this chamber 12 having a continuouscircular upper edge thereto. The cap 26 includes, on its internalsurface, an annular projection 32 which, with the cap 26 in its closedposition, engages the upper free edge of the chamber 12 to form a closedvolume above the valve 16 and seal the outlet 28 from the interior ofthe container.

Furthermore, in this closed position of the cap 26, the valve 16 isresiliently displaced by the cap 26 from a normal rest position to acompressed position on the seating 6 as shown in FIG. 3a.

On axially upward movement of the cap 26 to the position shown in FIG.3b, the projection 32 on the cap 26 is disengaged from the chamber 12,and the valve 16 is released into its normal rest condition in which thenose portion 20 thereof seats in, to seal, the outlet 28, and thecontents of the container 2 bound the valve 16 within the cap 26.

Dispensing of the content of the container 2 is achieved by squeezingthe body portion 2 of the container as indicated by the arrows A′ inFIG. 3c whereby the interior of the container is pressurised and liquidis dispensed as previously described.

It will be appreciated that the cap position of FIG. 3a providespositive closure of the container, for example to ensure no discharge orspillage therefrom when travelling.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3a to 3 c does not include an air plug orone-way valve 23, the lower end of the chamber 12 being closed by atransverse wall 13. This embodiment is particularly useful forcontainers such as laminated tubes containing highly viscous products.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified seating compared with that of FIGS. 1 and1a. More particularly, the chamber 12 is offset from the centre of thesleeve 8 and supports therein a valve 16 which controls flow through anoutlet 28 correspondingly offset from the centre of the cap 26. Theinterconnecting ribs 10 are accordingly displaced whereby the volumebetween the sleeve 8 and the chamber 12 for liquid flow therethrough iscrescent shaped rather than annular. However, the general mode ofoperation and the advantages compared with the prior art are the same asor similar to those described in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 1.Clearly the precise relative locations of the sleeve 8 and the chamber12 can be varied as required, as can the basic shape of the seating 6 asa whole—it may be for example oval or elliptical rather than round,while opening of the cap 26 may be achieved by axial movement thereof inthe manner of the embodiment of FIGS. 3a to 3 c. Again, a venting bore24 is shown extending from the lower regions of the chamber 12 toatmosphere through one of the ribs 10.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 1 butincorporating a lid member 32 integrally moulded with the cap 26 andconnected thereto by a reduced thickness living hinge 34, the lid member32 including a central depending plug 36 which, with the lid member 32in the closed position of FIG. 6, seats in, to close, the outlet 28,said plug 36 displacing the nose portion 22 of the valve 16 from theoutlet 28 and deforming the diaphragm portion 20 of the valve 16 as seenin FIG. 6. This closed position of the lid member 32 preventsinadvertent dispensing from the container during travelling or the like.

In an alternative arrangement, the plug 36 may be replaced by a cover toseat over the outlet 28 rather than extending into the outlet 28.

The lid member 32 can be pivoted about the hinge 34 to the open positionof FIG. 5 whereby dispensing can be effected as required. A vent bore 24between the closed volume in the lower regions of the chamber 12 and theatmosphere is clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In an unillustrated embodiment of the invention, the cap 26 isintegrally moulded with the seating 6 and is connected thereto by areduced thickness living hinge, thus further reducing the number ofparts to the container.

Additionally, the seating 6 may be integrally moulded with the bodyportion 2, and the body portion 2, seating 6, cap 26 and lid member 32may comprise a unitary component.

FIGS. 7a and 7 b show a modified version of the container of theinvention for applying the content of the container in the manner of abrush.

More particularly, the squeezable body portion 2 includes three separatevalves 16 each of which is supported on its own associated seating 6,the three seatings being integrally formed with one another into asingle support member 38. The three valves 16 may themselves beinterconnected for ease of assembly.

A cover or cap 26 is a snap-fit on the body portion 2 and includes threeoutlets 28 in each of which is received the nose portion 22 of theassociated valve 16 to seal said outlets 28 in the manner of theprevious embodiments.

Sets of bristles 40 are provided externally of the cover 26 between theoutlets 28, and it will be appreciated that, on squeezing of the bodyportion 2, the content of the container is dispensed through the outlets28 onto the bristles 40 for subsequent application as required, thevalves 16 working in unison with one another.

The nose portions 22 of the valves 16 may extend right through andbeyond the associated outlets 28 to facilitate application of thecontents of the container to the bristles 40, while the bristles 40could be replaced by sponge, cloth or other application mediums, forexample for shoe care and polishing purposes.

In the above-detailed embodiments, the control valve 16 is described asbeing a separate component from, and sealingly located in the chamber 12of, the seating 6 However, and as previously mentioned, the controlvalve may be integral with the seating, for example by being overmouldedto the top of the chamber 12, thus further reducing the number of partsto the container.

In one arrangement, the control valve 16 may exclude a skirt portion 18,the outer edge regions of the lower surface of the diaphragm portion 20remote from the nose portion 22 being moulded to the upper regions ofthe chamber 12 to define a closed volume within the chamber 12 below thediaphragm portion 20.

Clearly the precise construction of the containers could differ furtherfrom those described and illustrated without departing from the scope ofthe invention. For example, the nose portion 22 of the or each valve 16may be narrow and received within a correspondingly narrow outlet 28whereby a spray action is achieved on pressurisation of the interior ofthe container. Furthermore, the nose portion 22 of the or each valve 16may be other than rounded, and may have, for example, a concave outerend thereto.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative control valve indicated generally at 42, thenose portion of which comprises a hollow cylindrical stem 44 terminatingin a soft rubber plug portion 46. The diaphragm portion is indicated at48 and is of a stepped configuration terminating in a depending skirtportion 50. Other modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

Although pressurisation of the content of the container has beendescribed as being achieved by distortion of the container itself, thispressurisation for dispensing purposes may be achieved by, for example,pump means within the container.

Thus there is described a container of relatively simple constructioncapable of economic production and automated assembly that provides theconsumer with numerous advantages compared with currently availableproducts.

In particular, the container of the invention enables the consumer todispense smooth, measured quantities either in small doses or largedoses and regardless of the viscosity of the liquid.

The sizes of the outlets and the valves can readily be altered to suitdifferent products and the dispensing requirements of the consumer, andcan accommodate a wide range of products from highly viscous pastesright through to water.

The containers may be of the upright, semi-rigid type or may be of theinverted tube type. In all cases, and regardless of orientation, theoutlets are sealed by virtue of the resilient nature of the controlvalve.

The venting of the valve support chamber to atmosphere allows thecontainer to return rapidly to its normal condition and ensuresimmediate and effective movement of the control valve to and from itsrest and displaced positions. Furthermore the venting system is operableeven when the outlet 28 is closed.

The provision of an initially open lower end to the chamber 12 enablesready overmoulding of the control valve to the upper end of the chamber12, in that the relevant die can be inserted up through the chamber frombelow and the appropriate moulding effected. The one-way valve 23 canthen be inserted into its operative position in the base of the chamber12.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising a body member forcontaining liquid and including an outlet portion at one end thereofthrough which said liquid flows on pressurization of the interior of thebody member, a cap portion located on the body member and having atleast one outlet for dispensing therethrough liquid flowing from theoutlet portion of the body member, and a control assembly located withinthe cap portion for controlling the dispensing of liquid flowing fromthe body member to the or each outlet from the cap portion, the controlassembly comprising, for the or each outlet, a control valve and aseating for said control valve, the control valve being a one-pieceplastic moulding and including a diaphragm portion, and a nose portionextending from said diaphragm portion, and the seating comprising anouter annular sleeve forming an extension of the outlet portion of thebody member within the cap portion, and, within said sleeve, a supportchamber for the valve, said valve having a rest position with the noseportion thereof engaging in, to seal, the associated outlet in the capportion, one or more bores extending from the support chamber, thearrangement being such that, on pressurization of the interior of thecontainer, liquid from the body member flows along the flow path throughthe seating between the outer annular sleeve thereof and the valvesupport chamber to engage with and distort the diaphragm portion of thevalve whereby the nose portion of the valve is released from the outletand liquid is dispensed therethrough, and, on subsequent release ofpressure from the interior of the body member, the control valve returnsto its rest position with the nose portion thereof seating in, to seal,the outlet, characterized in that the seating is a one-piece plasticmoulding with the support chamber thereof comprising sidewalls definingan open top to the support chamber, the valve seating on the open topof, in sealing engagement with, the support chamber to define aninternal volume within said chamber below the valve, the sidewalls ofthe support chamber being interconnected with the outer annular sleeveby means of a plurality of thin, circumferentially spaced webs such thata substantial proportion of the volume between the sleeve and thesupport chamber is available for liquid to flow therethrough from thebody member to the or each outlet, the bore or bores extending from thesupport chamber through the sidewalls thereof, through one or more ofthe webs and through the annular sleeve to vent the internal volumewithin the support chamber to atmosphere.
 2. A container as claimed inclaim 1 and including one-way valve means which, on pressurization ofthe interior of the container, are closed to disconnect said interiorfrom the atmosphere, and, on release of pressure from the interior ofthe body member, are opened to connect the interior of the container tothe atmosphere.
 3. A container as claimed in claim 2 in which theone-way valve means comprise, or are provided in, a transverse base wallof the support chamber.
 4. A container as claimed in claim 1 in whichthe control valve includes a cylindrical skirt portion one end of whichis closed by the diaphragm portion, the skirt portion seating on, tosurround, the upper regions of the sidewalls of the support chamberwhereby the control valve is sealingly located on the support chamber.5. A container as claimed in claim 4 in which the skirt portion of thecontrol valve is overmoulded on the upper regions of the sidewalls ofthe support chamber.
 6. A container as claimed in claim 1 in which thecontrol valve includes a cylindrical skirt portion one end of which isclosed by the diaphragm portion, the skirt portion being received withinthe upper regions of the sidewalls of the support chamber whereby thecontrol valve is sealingly located in said support chamber.
 7. Acontainer as claimed in claim 6 in which the upper regions of thesidewalls of the support chamber are provided with an annular recessadapted to receive therein the skirt portion of the valve whereby thevalve is sealingly located within the upper regions of the chamber.
 8. Acontainer as claimed in claim 1 in which the outlet portion of the bodymember is defined by a cylindrical neck, the outer sleeve of the seatingembracing said neck to locate the seating on the body member.
 9. Acontainer as claimed in claim 1 in which the outlet portion of the bodymember is defined by a cylindrical neck, the outer annular sleeve of theseating being integrally moulded with said neck whereby the body memberand seating comprise a single component.
 10. A container as claimed inclaim 1 in which the cap portion is movable relative to the body memberbetween a closed position preventing flow from the body member to the oreach outlet, and a dispensing position permitting flow from the bodymember to the or each outlet on pressurization of the interior of thebody member.
 11. A container as claimed in claim 10 in which movement ofthe cap portion between the closed position and the dispensing positionis achieved by axial displacement of the cap portion on the body member.12. A container as claimed in claim 10 in which movement of the capportion between the closed position and the dispensing position isachieved by rotary displacement of the cap portion relative to the bodymember.
 13. A container as claimed in claim 1 in which the cap portionis integrally moulded with the seating to be hingedly movable relativethereto between an operative position closing the container and housingthe or each control valve therein, and an inoperative position providingaccess to the control valve and seating.
 14. A container as claimed inclaim 1 and including a lid member mounted on, externally of, the capportion and provided with, for the or each outlet, a plug portion, thelid member being movable between a closed position in which the or eachplug portion seats in, to close, the associated outlet, and an openposition in which the or each plug portion is displaced from itsassociated outlet.
 15. A container as claimed in claim 14 in which thelid member is integrally moulded with the cap portion and is pivotalrelative to the cap portion about a reduced thickness hinge between itsopen and closed positions.
 16. A container as claimed in claim 1 andincluding a plurality of outlets, and, within the container, a pluralityof control valves and associated seatings, one for each outlet, theseatings being integrally formed with one another, the container furtherincluding, externally thereof, a plurality of bristles projectingtherefrom at regions adjacent the outlets to receive thereon the contentof the container when dispensed therefrom, and for use as a brush.
 17. Acontainer as claimed in claim 1 in which the body member of thecontainer is of a flexible plastics material whereby pressurization ofthe interior thereof, and consequential dispensing therefrom, can beachieved by squeezing the body member.
 18. A container as claimed inclaim 1 in which the control valve is of a soft thermoplastic material.